Israeli Parliament Passes Basic Law Declaring Torah Study a Fundamental National Value

Israel's Knesset on Monday gave final approval to a new Basic Law declaring Torah study a fundamental value of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, in legislation that has sparked sharp political controversy amid the ongoing debate over military service for the ultra-Orthodox community.

The bill passed its second and third readings by 63 votes to 52. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not participate in the vote.

Promoted by the ultra-Orthodox coalition parties United Torah Judaism and Shas, the law consists of a single clause stating that "Torah study is a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and in the State of Israel."

Legal Advisers Describe the Law as Declarative

The legislation's final wording is purely declarative and does not establish any direct legal or budgetary consequences.

During committee deliberations, Knesset Legal Adviser Sagit Afik said she did not believe the provision could reasonably be interpreted as changing budget allocations or creating practical legal consequences.

"What remains is the constitutional recognition of a value," Afik told lawmakers, adding that because the committee did not fully define the law's legal implications, courts would likely interpret it as a declarative Basic Law.

Ultra-Orthodox Leaders Hail the Vote

Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah and the bill's sponsor, said Torah study is essential to Israel's national identity.

"In recent years the reality has become very difficult, but we will never compromise on the value of Torah study," Gafni told the Knesset. "It is the foundation of our existence, and we will continue protecting Torah scholars and ensuring they receive the respect they deserve."

United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf said he never imagined Israel would need a Basic Law to recognize Torah study as a foundational national value.

Following the vote, Goldknopf said he expects the legislation's symbolic recognition to be followed by "full legal regulation of the status of Torah scholars," so that no yeshiva student would face arrest because he decides to devote himself to religious study.

 Law Is Linked to Military Draft Exemptions

Opposition leaders strongly condemned the legislation, arguing that it advances the ultra-Orthodox parties' broader effort to preserve exemptions from compulsory military service during wartime.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, "A Knesset that respects itself would not pass draft-evasion legislation while soldiers are being killed on the battlefield."

Lapid issued a joint statement with Naftali Bennett, Gadi Eisenkot, Avigdor Lieberman, and Yair Golan, urging coalition lawmakers to vote against the bill.

"The list of those supporting this draft-evasion law will remain forever before the eyes of Israelis who serve in the military and contribute to the workforce," the statement said.

Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz did not join the joint declaration but issued his own statement, saying the legislation harms Israel's security and "dishonors both the Torah and those who dedicate their lives to studying it."

Earlier Drafts Were Significantly Broader

The original proposal sought to elevate the constitutional status of Torah scholars and create a legal balance between Torah study and military service.

Those provisions were removed after Knesset legal advisers warned they could weaken the legal standing of Israel Defense Forces personnel and reservists while affecting future judicial rulings and government budget priorities.

Ultra-Orthodox parties, however, rejected proposals to include language recognizing military service as a parallel national value.

Petition Filed With Supreme Court

Shortly after the vote, the Movement for Quality Government in Israel announced it had filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the legislation.

The organization argued that, despite its declarative wording, the law is intended to strengthen future legal arguments supporting exemptions from military service for ultra-Orthodox men and to circumvent previous Supreme Court rulings emphasizing equality in military conscription.

The legislation is one of several initiatives promoted by the ultra-Orthodox coalition parties as they seek broader legal protections for yeshiva students and changes to Israel's military conscription framework, an issue that remains one of the country's most divisive political and constitutional debates.